Our task this week, should we choose to accept it, is to post a song by an artiste who has appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone. magazine.

When I was at university at the beginning of the seventies, I had a subscription to Rolling Stone. Obviously, back then it was a print subscription and it was delivered fortnightly to my pigeonhole at college. I used to read it from cover to cover, although at this distance I don’t remember much about it, apart from the coruscating gonzo journalism of Hunter S Thompson and, for no obvious reason, a lengthy interview with an extremely drugged up Joe Cocker.

I certainly couldn’t recall any cover images from back then, but of course you can find a complete list of ‘cover stars’ on the internet. So for this week, you’re getting a two-for-one deal with not only George Harrison but also Bob Dylan. Both these artistes, unsurprisingly, appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone multiple times.

‘If Not For You’ is the opening track on Dylan’s ‘New Morning’ album, which was released in October 1970 and George included his version later in the year on his solo triple album ‘All Things Must Pass’.

If not for you, babe, I couldn’t find the door
Couldn’t even see the floor
I’d be sad and blue if not for you.

If not for you, baby, I’d lay awake all night
Wait for the morning light
To shine in through
But it will not be new if not for you.

If not for you, my sky would fall, rain would gather too
Without your love I’d be nowhere at all
I’d be lost if not for you
And you know it’s true.

If not for you, my sky would fall, rain would gather too
Without your love I’d be nowhere at all
Oh what would I do if not for you ?

If not for you, winter would have no spring
I couldn’t hear the robins sing
I just wouldn’t have a clue
Anyway it wouldn’t ring true if not for you
If not for you, if not for you.

Written by Bob Dylan

The video shows the two of them performing this as a duet, presumably when touring with the Traveling Wilburys.

Song Lyric Sunday 13 November 2022